Chapter 2 - A new plan

Cassy winced as the door creaked behind her and clicked shut. She waited to hear her mum move upstairs, then noticed the kitchen light glowing down the hall. She let out a breath, knowing she couldn’t ignore the invitation and curl up in bed like she wanted to, not unless she wanted her mum to follow her upstairs and make the conversation even harder. 

Her mum was sitting at the table, concentrating as she piped thick pink icing onto a cake, its warmth making the buttercream slide too easily over its surface. A smudge of icing sugar dusted over her cheek, almost touched by the tongue poking out in her focus. Cassy smiled and dumped her bag at the kitchen door, rounded the table and leaned against her mum, her chin resting on her mum’s head. There was something soothing about her mum. Just being around her, even in a weird one-sided embrace, comforted Cassy, and she relished that feeling for a few minutes while watching the icing slowly form the words ‘Happy birthday’.

“Put the kettle on, Sweetie.”

Cassy did, moving on autopilot. Her mind whirled, replaying the scene with Zac, while her hands worked until they were folded around a cup as she sat at the table.

“So, he didn’t want to leave?” 

"No.” Cassy flopped her head onto the table as if she could somehow hide from her mother’s gaze if she couldn’t see it. It was a relief to sit down. Her legs ached from the uphill trek to the packhouse and steep gradient back to where their house stood alone at the edge of the town. “Alpha Jason made him his Beta today.”

“And now he wants to stay.” She hummed, not a measure of judgement in her voice. That annoyed Cassy. She judged Zac. He had made promises to her and broken them over a stupid title, choosing power over love. “Talk to me, Sweetie.”

Cassy groaned. “I’m pissed. This wasn’t how tonight was going to go.” Her eyes moved to her packed bag siting on the floor, heat pushing to her cheeks. “I really thought he was it, you know? He was going to be... Well, mine. We’re really compatible, it would’ve worked.” She sighed. “I guess you’re up because you saw what would happen?”

“Yes. Just after you had left. I saw Zac on the packhouse rocks, calling after you but you were walking away. I broke a vase this time, thank Goddess the visions don’t come when I’m with patients.”

With a snort, Cassy finally lifted her head. “Remember when you got one while sowing up my knee? You jabbed my kneecap so hard I kicked you.”

“You don’t count.” She huffed, letting the moment hang in the air like a breath of reprieve before sliding her hand over to cover Cassy’s. “Did you let him scent you?” Cassy didn’t need to answer. Her mother may have been the one who ran from the dangers of the Kingdom, but she was the one who made sure those dangers would never find them again. “You know Zac will scent your pheromones if you mark each other, why not just let him now?”

“Because then I won’t know if he wants me me or... you know.” Cassy swallowed hard and took a breath before spilling what had been on her mind since she left the rocks. “He wants me to compete in the Trials.”

“And you said...”

“I didn’t say anything. I can’t compete in the trials. I always said the moment they forced me to compete I’d drop out as soon as I could.”

“Then why didn’t you say no?”

“Because I love him.” Cassy cut off sharply, then groaned. “I don’t want to lose him just because he can’t break his pack’s stupid traditions.”

“Then compete.”

“What if I’m recognised?”

“What if you’re not?” 

Cassy huffed at her mum’s simple but extremely infuriating logic, then dropped her voice. “What if my abilities manifest?” 

“You don’t have to whisper, Sweetie, no one will hear us this far from the main pack. Don’t worry about your abilities. Maybe they’ll be useful in the Trials?” At Cassy's second huff, her mum rolled her eyes. “You know, if you’re that annoyed at Zac that you’re making all these excuses, you could always try and win. Alpha Jason is quite the looker.”

Cassy shuddered at the phrase ‘quite a looker’ coming out of her mum’s mouth. Though she wasn’t wrong. “Because being the Ash Mount Luna will keep me hidden? No, I’d have to make the top ten so Zac can choose me but get out before the top five, before the other packs come to watch the finale. Do you think I could do it?”

All joking aside, she looked sincerely at her mother.  

“I believe you can do anything, Sweetie. You’re the smartest, strongest woman I know.” She pressed a palm to Cassy’s cheek and smiled. Warmth ebbed through her carrying the strength of support only a mother could give. “Those other bitches don’t stand a chance.”

“Mum!”

“I’m joking.” Her mum sighed. “You know, this isn’t the life I wanted for you.”

“A life of secrecy and lies?” Cassy grinned.

“A life of hiding who you truly are and avoiding love to do so.”

Cassy couldn’t help it, her eyes moved on their own at the words. They flickered to her mother’s neck where one side was covered with thick black tattoos that warded off the same connection, and the other held a dull grey bite mark that used to shimmer like the moon. 

“You know I trust your judgement, right? If you want to tell someone the truth, I’ll support you. You could tell Zac, or Alex, she’d listen.” Her mum squeezed her hand, but dropped the subject when Cassy stayed silent. “Your roots are showing, we're going to have to dye your hair before the Trials begins tomorrow. Come on.”

“Mum, wait.” She paused, waiting for Cassy to continue. “Can I have some cake first?”

“Of course, Sweetie.”